See what the Drug Marijuana is and other uses of its plant
Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) is a herbaceous plant with a hot and humid climate, originating in India and can reach up to 5 meters in height.
It produces male and female flowers and produces a small, greenish-yellow fruit, which contains an acidic substance that serves as food for some species of birds. Its seeds with proteins and carbohydrates are used to feed domestic birds, and in cereals and granola. Paints, varnishes, soaps and edible oil are produced from seed oil.
In China, it was used as an anesthetic, analgesic, antidepressant, antibiotic and sedative. The first reports of marijuana in Brazil date back to the 18th century, in the manufacture of fibers for ships.
What do Marijuana substances do to the user?
More than 400 chemical substances are found in the marijuana plant, 60 of which are classified in the cannabinoid category, according to the INS (National Institute of Health). Tetrahydrocarbinol (THC) is one of these cannabinoids, which is the substance most associated with the effects that marijuana produces on the brain. When THC interacts with the brain, it causes relaxing feelings, such as a feeling of lightness in addition to changes in other senses.
How is Marijuana consumed?
Examples of how marijuana can be consumed are: Marijuana, hashish, charas, ghanja, bhang, kef, orla and dagga, the most common of which is smoking.
What are the effects of Marijuana?
After consumption, the individual may suffer physical effects, such as: impaired memory, confusion between past, present and future, heightened senses, but with little balance and muscle strength, loss of coordination, increased heart rate, distorted perception, anxiety, eyes reddened due to dilated eye blood vessels, dry mouth and difficulty with thoughts and problem solving.
Marijuana users, as well as those who smoke tobacco, are part of the risk group of people prone to developing asthma, pulmonary emphysema, bronchitis and cancer.
Some studies have shown that a group of marijuana users, who use it daily, do not develop addiction, while others may develop a compulsive use syndrome similar to dependence on other drugs.
The nature of marijuana withdrawal symptoms has not yet been determined.
The American Drug Enforcement Administration confirms that prolonged marijuana use can cause damage to the lungs and reproductive system.
Currently, it is believed that the negative effects of marijuana outweigh its positive effects. However, many harmful effects of marijuana are being concluded. Some people ask for its legalization, for medicinal purposes in treatments such as cancer and AIDS (combats nausea and stimulates appetite), glaucoma (relieves eye pressure), epilepsy (prevents seizures) and multiple sclerosis (reduces muscle spasms). But there is still a major restriction on release, due to the completion of studies. In some North American states, it has already been legalized for medicinal purposes.
